You are pretty much always targeting a specific species. The biggest overlap might be kings and coho. If you are starting from zero, I'd suggest learning about run timing for the areas you want to fish. Even "great" fishing spots are worthless most of the year (if the fish aren't there, you can't catch them).

Then, read up (or even better, get to a river) and see what types of water each species like (for example, coho LOVE non-moving "frog water" while steelhead generally don't). Once you know when and where, you start working on a specific technique. From now until mid-November, work on learning how to rig a float with eggs under it. Also, buy some number 4 and number 5 spinners. Plan on doing nothing other than throwing spinners and drifting eggs under a float. Stick with it. Look around on the river and figure out who is catching fish (in the mouth!) and why. Copy those people.